About applying for residence under the Family (Partnership) Category

If  you want to move to New Zealand to live under our Family Category (Partnership Policy) you’ll need to apply for a Residence Visa. Find out about visas and permits and whether you need one.  

Your application for a Residence Visa or Permit can include your dependent children.

If you haven’t already checked whether you would qualify for residence, do a quick check of the minimum criteria now.

Steps to apply for a Residence Visa or Permit

To help you make sure you have everything you need to apply, please print out our checklist.

Step One

Complete the Application for Residence in New Zealand form (NZIS 1000) PDF. This form is also available from Immigration New Zealand offices in New Zealand and overseas. 

Step Two

Along with your completed (and signed) application form you will need to provide:

Step Three

For each person included in your application you will also need to provide:

• two recent passport-size photographs
• a valid passport or certificate of identity
• a completed Medical and X-ray Certificate form (NZIS 1007) PDF (Note: Pregnant women and children under the age of 11 years are not required to submit X-ray certificates unless a special report is required. For full details on health requirements, see our Health Requirements Leaflet (NZIS 1121) PDF)
• a police certificate less than 6 months old for each applicant aged 17-years and over for each country of citizenship and each country in which they have lived for 12 months or more in the last 10 years.
• a full birth certificate.

Step Four

If you are overseas, find out where to send your application.
or
If you are in New Zealand, send or drop off your application to your nearest Immigration New Zealand branch.